Apparatus administration system

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus administration system is provided which includes an image forming apparatus, which is located in a first local network and connected to the Internet through a first firewall server, an administration computer, which is located in a second local network and connected to the Internet through a second firewall server, and a relaying server, which is located outside the first local network and the second local network and is connected to the Internet. The administration computer transmits information for administrating the image forming apparatus to the relaying server, and accesses the relaying server to obtain information corresponding to a state of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus accesses the relaying server at a predetermined timing to obtain the information from the administrating computer, and transmits the information corresponding to the state of the image forming apparatus to the relaying server.

The present application is a Continuation Application of Ser. No.09/881,925, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the administration technique capable ofadministering a device to be administered via the Network.

An example of such an art is found in the prior art for remotemonitoring of an image forming apparatus including a copier as a deviceto be administered. To put it more specifically, a copier and anadministration center are connected by a wired or wireless public line.If a trouble has occurred to a copier, it is reported to theadministration center from said copier.

Said art allows the administration center to keep track of the status ofthe copier at all times without the user having to reporting the troubleof a copier to the administration center. This makes it possible to takea quick action in response to the trouble.

In this connection, it would be a great benefit if intensiveadministration of many copiers can be provided at the administrationcenter. In such a case, if remote rewriting of configuration settings ofthe copier or execution program, for example, is possible, thenmaintenance time and expenses will be cut down accordingly. However, theamount of information to be conveyed is limited according to the priorart. Hence, if said intensive administration is to be realized, aninformation transmission means capable of carrying a great amount ofinformation is indispensable. In response to this demand, there has beena rapid growth of networks such as the Internet in recent years. Thisallows simultaneous multiple access by packet communications andprovides economic advantages as well. To ensure an intensiveadministration of a great many copiers, use of such a network ispreferred.

However, in order to ensure communications security, many of generalbusiness corporations configure the firewall server between theintra-company LAN and out-company Internet as a user network in aneffort to protect themselves against illegal access from outside. Insuch cases, the administration center cannot access the in-house copierto read information therefrom (for administration of the copier status).

To resolve this problem, it is theoretically possible to change thesetting of the firewall server and to permit access only from theadministration center. However, it is impossible in practice to changethe firewall server setting only for copier maintenance due to thesecurity and related problems. However, many users do not prefer thisidea because security by firewall server will be undermined if accessfrom the administration center is permitted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed to resolve these problems. Itis intended to provide an administration system and administrationmethod which keep track of the status of the device to be administeredby utilizing the network including the Internet, independently of thepresence or absence of firewall server.

This objective is achieved by an image forming apparatus administrationsystem, including: an image forming apparatus, located in the firstlocal network and connected to the Internet through the first firewallserver of the first local network; an administration computer, locatedin the second local network and connected to the Internet through thesecond firewall server of the second local network; a relaying server,located outside the first local network and the second local network,connected to the Internet and including a relaying storage; in which theadministration computer at least transmits first passing information foradministrating the image forming apparatus by accessing the relayingserver or receives second passing information, corresponding a state ofthe image forming apparatus and stored in the relaying storage of therelaying server; and the image forming apparatus executes an access tothe relaying server at a predetermined timing so as to obtain the firstpassing information, stored in the relaying storage, or to transmit thesecond passing information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing representing the administration system according tothe present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a ladder diagram representing data transmission between imageforming apparatus 11 and host computer 21.

FIG. 3 is a drawing representing an example of inherent data.

FIG. 4 is a ladder diagram representing exchange of data between imageforming apparatus 11 and host computer 21.

FIG. 5 is a ladder diagram representing exchange of data between imageforming apparatus 11 and host computer 21.

FIG. 6 is a ladder diagram representing exchange of data between imageforming apparatus 11 and host computer 21.

FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating another example of an administrationsystem including the hierarchically constituted server group.

FIG. 8 is a ladder diagram representing exchange of data between imageforming apparatus 11 and host computer 21.

FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an example of the job list.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following provides a detailed description of the embodiments of thepresent invention with reference to drawings:

FIG. 1 is a drawing representing the administration system according tothe present embodiment;

In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 11 as device to be administeredincluding a copier and printer connected to the user Intranet Nuconfigured in the company of a user is linked to the Internet N outsidethe company via a proxy server 12 equipped with firewall serverfunction, on the one hand. On the other hand, a host computer 21connected to the service company Intranet Ns configured in the servicecompany is linked to the Internet N outside the company via a proxyserver 22 equipped with firewall server function. Furthermore, arelaying server 31 having a storage means (also called a relayingstorage) including a mass storage hard disk is connected to the InternetN in the similar manner. Namely, said image forming apparatus 11 isconnected to the user Intranet Nu as a user network different from theInternet N, and is connected to the Internet N via the proxy server 12as a user firewall server connected to said user network to restrict thepassing information. The relaying server 31 is connected to the InternetN outside the user firewall server, as viewed from the user network.

The host computer 21 is connected to the Internet N via the proxy server22 as a user firewall server which is connected to the Intranet Ns ofthe service company as a service network different the Internet N andwhich restricts the passing information. The relaying server 31 islocated outside the user firewall server as viewed from the user networkand also outside the service firewall server as viewed form the servicenetwork, and is connected to the Internet N.

The image forming apparatus 11 forming an image on the recording mediumconstitutes a device to be administered. It contains (1) a storage underadministration such as a memory storing the programs and data, a flashROM and a hard disk, (2) a detecting means of detecting a trouble suchas a sensor, and (3) a decision-making means such as CPU. Said apparatusis controlled according to the program or data retained in the storageto be administered. The host computer 21 constitutes an administrationapparatus capable of providing job information. Job information for theembodiment to be described later includes the update information forupdating and rewriting of the program stored in the storage to beadministered of the image forming apparatus 11 or for rewriting of saiddata into updated data. Based on the obtained update information, theimage forming apparatus 11 can rewrite said program or data stored inthe storage to be administered into the updated program or data.Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 11 can also download the updateprogram or data based on the obtained update information and can rewritethe program or data stored in the storage to be administered into theupdated program or data. While the image forming apparatus 11 isrewritten into the updated program or data (or during transmission ofthe second transmitted information to be described later), part of thefunction thereof cannot utilized sufficiently. So it is preferred tosuspend access of the relaying server 31.

The updated program hereunder refers to the upgraded program where bugsof the original program are removed. The updated data refers to thedefault value to determine image density. To put it more specifically,it includes inherent data shown in FIG. 3. The following describes thecase where the image forming apparatus 11 is connected to the Internet Nvia the user Intranet Ns and proxy server 12. However, it is alsoapplicable to the image forming apparatus 11 connected to the Internet Nvia a modem connected to the public line (telephone line) for conversionbetween the digital signal and analog signal and a provider connected tothe Internet N via the public line PN. Furthermore, the configuration ispreferred to be structured to permit direct exchange of information (bypublic line) with the image forming apparatus 11 equipped with a modemconnected to the public line PN for conversion between digital signalsand analog signals (image forming apparatus not connected to theInternet N) so that that the relaying server 31 can provide servicesalso to said image forming apparatus 11.

The host computer 21 of the service company reads information from theimage forming apparatus 11 to be kept informed of a trouble or the timefor maintenance. However, since proxy servers 12 and 22 has a firewallserver function, it is difficult to access the image forming apparatus11 or host computer 21 from the outside (from the Internet) to read thedata for the reason of security. To solve this problem, a relayingserver 31 is provided in the administration system of this embodiment,thereby allowing data exchange between the image forming apparatus 11and host computer 21.

Namely, proxy servers 12 and 22 often authorize the Intranet Nu and Nsto send or download data. This property is used as follows: When thehost computer 21 is to get the inherent data shown in FIG. 3 from theimage forming apparatus 11, for example, the host computer 21 sends tothe relaying server 31 the job information (1st transmitted information)on the intention to get data from the image forming apparatus 11, andthe information is stored there. When the image forming apparatus 11accesses the relaying server 31, it reads the job information (1sttransmitted information) on the intention of the host computer 21 to getdata from the image forming apparatus 11, if such information is storedin memory. Then it sends inherent data (2nd transmitted information) andstores it into the relaying server 31. Furthermore, when the hostcomputer 21 accesses the relaying server 31, it can read the inherentdata (2nd transmitted information and device data information)transmitted from the image forming apparatus 11 if it is stored in thememory.

Namely, such a job information becomes transmission command informationto be used when the image forming apparatus 11 sends 2nd transmittedinformation (inherent data) to the relaying server 31. The image formingapparatus 11 can send the 2nd transmitted information to the relayingserver 31 based on transmission command information in the obtained 1sttransmitted information. The relaying storage of the relaying server 31is preferred to memorize multiple pieces of the first transmittedinformation.

As described above, data transmission is enabled without the imageforming apparatus 11 and host computer 21 making a direct access. Thismakes it possible for the host computer 21 to provide appropriatemonitoring of the image forming apparatus 11, independently of thepresence or absence of firewall server. FIG. 3 shows an example of the2nd transmitted information. At least one piece of the following usagehistory information can be cited as an example;

(1) image formation count (total count in FIG. 3),

(2) the usage count of at least one component (photosensitive drum,etc.) constituting the image forming apparatus 11 (drum count, optionalreplacement parts count, regular replacement parts count, etc.),

(3) image formation count for each size of the recording medium (countby the size of paper (recording medium)),

(4) image-formed recording medium count (recording medium count), and

(5) image formation count for each function (mode) owned by the imageforming apparatus 11 (count for each user usage mode, copy, printer,fax, count for each scanner, etc.). The 2nd information can be emergencyinformation based on the errors having occurred in the image formingapparatus 11 (emergency/regular call information in FIG. 3) and errorinformation (JAM/SC information).

Namely, when an error has been detected by the detecting means in theimage forming apparatus 11 and decision-making means has determined thatan error detected by said detecting means requires urgent attention, itsends emergency information to the relaying server 31. Such an emergencyinformation is read by the host computer 21 having accessed the relayingserver 31. This allows the service company to be notified of an errorhaving occurred to the image forming apparatus 11. Such operations willbe described later with reference to FIG. 5.

Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 11 is administered by the hostcomputer 21 connected to the Internet N, and has a relaying storage tomemorize the first transmitted information to be transmitted to theimage forming apparatus 11 by the host computer 21. Further, it accessesthe relaying server 31 connected to the Internet N via the Internet N toobtain the first transmitted information memorized in the relayingstorage. At the same time, it utilizes the obtained first transmittedinformation to update the program and data. So control operation can bechanged based on it. Namely, the control operation of the image formingapparatus 11 be changed from the place away from the image formingapparatus 11 (e.g. service company). This is a great advantage.

Transmitted information can be identified by attaching the object deviceID information (a serial number, to put it specifically) unique to theimage forming apparatus 11 and host computer 21, despite the presence ofmultiple image forming apparatuses 11 and host computers 21 with asingle relaying server 31. This allows exchange of transmission betweena specific image forming apparatus 11 and specific host computer 21.

The Object device ID information specifying the image forming apparatus11 at the destination of transmission is included in the firsttransmitted information. This allows the image forming apparatus 11 toaccess the relaying server 31 to determine if the first transmittedinformation should be obtained or not, based on the Object device IDinformation. If it has determined that said information should beobtained, the first transmitted information memorized in the relayingstorage of the relaying server 31 is obtained.

Furthermore, the host computer 21 having sent the first transmittedinformation or the image forming apparatus 11 having sent the secondtransmitted information accesses the relaying server 31 in order to makesure if the first or second transmitted information is correctlyreceived by the relaying server 31 or not after transmission. Then itcan make sure of correct transmission of information. This is a greatadvantage.

In such a case, the host computer 21 having sent the first transmittedinformation or the host computer 11 having sent the second transmittedinformation accesses the relaying server 31, and makes sure if the firstor second transmitted information is correctly received by the relayingserver 31 or not. If it is not correctly received, it sends the first orsecond transmitted information again, thereby ensuring more reliableexchange of information.

The host computer 21 or image forming apparatus 11′ accesses therelaying server 31 at one or more of the timing conditions; at specifiedtime intervals, at a specified time of the day, at a specified timing orat a timing which meets the specified conditions. “Specified time”refers to the predetermined time, for example, time of the day, day ofthe week, and day of the month. “Specified timing” means the time whenthe device to be administered is started (power ON) or when thespecified operation is started. “Time interval meeting the specifiedconditions” signifies the time when the image formation count hasreached a preset count or the preset error information in detected errorinformation has been detected. In the embodiment described below, thehost computer 21 or image forming apparatus 11 accesses the relayingserver 31 at specified time intervals. According to the presentembodiment, the host computer 21 makes an access every 10 minutes andthe image forming apparatus 11 every 15 minutes. Namely, the timebetween regular access of the image processor 11 to the relaying server31 and the next regular access is longer than the time between a regularaccess of the host computer 21 to the relaying server 31 and the nextregular access. If access interval of the host computer 21 is shorterthat of the image forming apparatus 11, quick information can beobtained when there is emergency information from the side of the imageforming apparatus 11, for example. This is advantageous. The accessinterval of the image forming apparatus 11 can be changed, for example,from the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 11, the personalcomputer connected to the user network or the host computer.

The following describes the exchange of data between the image formingapparatus 11 and host computer 21 more specifically. FIG. 2 is a ladderdiagram representing exchange of data between image forming apparatus 11and host computer 21. It shows the case when inherent data is obtainedfrom the image forming apparatus 11. FIG. 3 is a drawing representing anexample of inherent data. FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an example of thejob list stored in the relaying storage displayed on the display unit onthe side of the host computer 21. (Details will be discussed later).

The image forming apparatus 11 makes a regular access to the relayingserver 31, and monitors the command (the first transmitted informationand job information) written in the relaying storage. The host computer21 makes a regular access to the relaying server 31 to update theinformation indicated on the display unit.

In Step S101 shown in FIG. 2, command data (first transmittedinformation, job information and transmitted command information)representing the intention of obtaining inherent data from the imageforming apparatus 11 (namely, reception of the inherent data) is sentfrom the host computer 21 to the relaying server 31 by the operation ofthe service personnel. Such command data contains the ID information ofthe image forming apparatus 11 as an object device and the time of dayfor implementation (time when the inherent data is sent to the relayingserver 31 by the image forming apparatus 11) as required.

In Step S102, the relaying server 31 stores the received command data inthe specific area of the relaying storage. Then in Step S103,confirmation is made to check if received command data is normal or not.If such command data is not correct, it is deleted in Step S104. In themeantime, if the command data is normal, the command data of theinherent data is written into the job list by the relaying server 31 inStep S105, and is stored in the inherent folder corresponding to theserial number inherent to the image forming apparatus 11 (Object deviceID information). The result is converted into the format such as HTML,XML and FTP, and the system waits for access from the image formingapparatus 11 and host computer 21. At the time of the next access, thehost computer 21 reads out the data from the relaying server 31 anddisplays waiting for data acquisition or command data error in its owndisplay unit 21 a (FIG. 1) (Step S117).

Namely, the relaying server 31 changes the information indicated on thedisplay unit 21 a of the host computer 21, depending on whether thefirst transmitted information is obtained or not by the image-formingapparatus 11, and whether the image forming apparatus 11 performs thespecified operation based on the first transmitted information or not.The host computer 21 makes a regular access to the relaying server 31 ata specified time interval to get information to be indicated on thedisplay unit 21 a of the host computer 21, and the information isindicated on the display unit 21 a, thereby making it possible toadminister the status of the image forming apparatus 11. An example ofindication on the display unit 21 a will be described later withreference to FIG. 9.

After that, the image forming apparatus 11 accesses the relaying server31 and checks the inherent folder corresponding to the inherent serialnumber (Object device ID information) in the job list. When it has foundout command data to itself, it gets the command data and determines ifthe time (time for implementation) has elapsed or not (Step S108). If itis determined that the specified time has not yet elapsed, the imageforming apparatus 11 terminates processing and resumes periodic accessto the relaying server 31 (Step S109).

By contrast, if it is determined that the specified time has elapsed,the image forming apparatus 11 suspends a regular access of the relayingserver 31 (Step S110), and focuses on execution of the obtained command.To put it more specifically, the image forming apparatus 11 converts itsown inherent data into a specified format of the protocol which can passthrough the user's firewall server such as HTML, XML and FTP in StepS111, and sends the result to the relaying server 31 as the secondtransmitted information (device data information).

In the meantime, the relaying server 31 receives the inherent datatransmitted from the image forming apparatus 11 (Step S112), anddetermines in the following Step S113 if the data is correctly sent ornot. The result is written into the relaying storage. After transmittinginherent data, the image forming apparatus 11 accesses the relayingserver 31 subsequent to the lapse of a specified time, and checks theresult of data transmission. If the result of transmitting the receiveddata is incorrect in Step S114, the image forming apparatus 11 goes backto Step S111 again to send the data again. If the result of datatransmission is inadequate, transmission of the inherent data based onthe command data terminates in Step S115, and a regular access of therelaying server 31 restarts.

When transmission has terminated (including the case when the datatransmission is not possible in the final stage, for example, when datatransmission is repeated several times, the preset number of times hasbeen exceeded, or the preset time has been exceeded), a report on thetermination of data transmission (a report notifying the termination ofthe specified operation; OK if data can be transmitted and NG if itcannot) is sent from the image forming apparatus 11 to the relayingserver 31. The relaying server 31 writes the data on correct terminationor the data on the failure of data transmission in the specified areaaccording to the report on the completion of data transmission sent fromthe image forming apparatus 11 (Step S116 with reference to FIG. 9). Inthe case of correct termination, the inherent data of the transmittedimage forming apparatus 11 is stored in the specified area of therelaying storage so that it can be loaded from the host computer 21. Ifcommunications by mail have been set, report can be immediately sent tothe host computer 21. This is preferred because earlier reporting to thehost computer 21 is ensured (further, if multiple addresses are set,simultaneous transmission is possible by multiple host computers 21 andservice persons). However, when the host computer 21 accesses therelaying server 31 next time, the display unit 21 a of the host computer21 will indicate whether transmission of the image forming apparatus 11based on the command data has correctly terminated or not (Step S118).Further, if correct termination has been made, the inherent data of theimage forming apparatus 11 stored in the relaying storage can be readout, displayed on the display unit or downloaded.

The following describes the case of updating the inherent data of theimage forming apparatus 11: FIG. 4 is a ladder diagram representingexchange of data between image forming apparatus 11 and host computer21. It shows the case of updating inherent data on the side of the imageforming apparatus 11.

In Step S201 shown in FIG. 4, the host computer 21 enters the inherentdata (updated data) to be rewritten in response to the operation of theservice person, for example. Then the entered inherent data and updatedcommand data (first transmitted information, job information and updatedinformation) are sent to the relaying server 311 in Step S202. Suchcommand data contains the Object device ID information of the imageforming apparatus 11 and time for implementation (time when the inherentdata memorized in the storage to be administered is rewritten into theinherent data to be rewritten, by the image forming apparatus 11), asrequired.

In Step S203, the relaying server 31 stores the received inherent dataand updated command data in the specific range of the relaying storage.Then in Step S204, it checks if received inherent data and updatedcommand data are correct or not. If such an inherent data and updatedcommand data are not correct, they are deleted in Step S205. In themeantime, if the inherent data and updated command data are correct, therelaying server 31 writes the inherent data update command into the joblist in Step S206, and stores it in the inherent folder corresponding tothe serial number (Object device ID information) inherent to the imageforming apparatus 11. The result is converted into the specified formatsuch as HTML, XML and FTP, and said system waits for the access by theimage forming apparatus 11 and host computer 21. At the time of the nextaccess, the host computer 21 reads the data from the relaying server 31and evaluates the result of data transmission (Step S222). In the caseof transmission failure, indication to that effect is given on its owndisplay unit 21 a (FIG. 1), and the system goes back to the Step S201 tosend the data again. If transmission is correct, the host computer 21gives display of “Updating in progress” or the like (Step S224).

Then the image forming apparatus 11 accesses the relaying server 31 andchecks the inherent folder corresponding to the inherent serial number(Object device ID information) in the job list. Further, if it finds outa command data to itself, it gets that command data. If it finds out aupdate command data at the time of checking, it gets that data. Theimage forming apparatus 11 determines if the specified time (time forimplementation) has elapses or not (Step S209). If it determines thatthe specified time has not yet elapsed, the image forming apparatus 11terminates processing and resumes regular access to the relaying server31 (Step S210).

By contrast, if it is determined that the specified time has elapsed,the image forming apparatus 11 suspends a regular access of the relayingserver 31 (Step S211), and focuses on execution of the obtained command.To put it more specifically, the image forming apparatus 11 converts itsown inherent data (all the inherent data may be sent, but part of thedata, namely, only the inherent data to be updated can also be sent)into a specified format of the protocol such as HTML, XML and FTP inStep S111, and sends the result to the relaying server 31.

In the meantime, the relaying server 31 receives the inherent datatransmitted from the image forming apparatus 11, and rewrites itaccording to the inherent data sent from the host computer 21 (StepS213). The rewritten inherent data are converted into the specifiedformat such as HTML, XML and FTP and are stored in the relaying server31. The result of evaluating whether transmission of data from the imageforming apparatus 11 is correct or not is sent from the relaying server31 to the image forming apparatus 11. So in Step S214, the image formingapparatus 11 goes back to Step S212 again if the result of datatransmission is evaluated as faulty, and sends the data again. If theresult of data transmission is correct, the image forming apparatus 11accesses the relaying server 31 in Step S215 to obtain the rewritteninherent data, and updates the inherent data in the ensuring Step S216.In Step S217, it is determined whether the result of data transmissionis correct or not. In Step S218, the result of updating is reported tothe relaying server 31, and updating procedure terminates in Step S220.Then regular access to the relaying server 31 starts.

When updating procedure has terminated (including the case when finalupdating is not possible, for example, when updating is repeated severaltimes, the preset number of times has been exceeded, or the preset timehas been exceeded), a report on the termination of data updating (areport notifying the completion of the specified operation; OK if datacan be updated and NG if it cannot) is sent from the image formingapparatus 11 to the relaying server 31. In the relaying server 31,whether updating has terminated correctly or not is written in thespecified area, in response to the data transmission termination reportsent from the image forming apparatus 11 (Step S219, FIG. 9). Thisinformation is stored in the specified area of the relaying storage sothat it can be downloaded from the host computer 21. If communicationsby mail have been set, quick communication with the host computer 21 canbe achieved, making it possible to send the report earlier to the hostcomputer 21 (further, simultaneous transmission to multiple destinationssuch as the host computer 21 and service person can be achieved bysetting of multiple addresses); this is preferred. However, when thehost computer 21 makes access to the relaying server 31 next time, thedisplay unit 21 a of the host computer 21 indicates whether updating theinherent data of the image forming apparatus 11 based on the updatedcommand data has terminated correctly or not (Step S225). This is shownon the display unit of the host computer 21.

As described above, according to such an embodiment, a service personcan read out the inherent data of the image forming apparatus 11 of theuser while he stays in the service company. If required, he can rewriteit. This signifies a substantial reduction in the labor and cost. In thepresent example, rewriting (updating) of inherent data is performed bythe relaying server, but the inherent data may be rewritten by the imageforming apparatus 11, similarly to rewriting of the program to bedescribed later.

The following describes data transmission when a trouble has occurred tothe image forming apparatus 11. FIG. 5 is a ladder diagram representingexchange of data between image forming apparatus 11 and host computer21. It shows that a trouble has occurred on the image forming apparatus11. In the embodiment discussed below, the details of the trouble areverified, and a regular access to the relaying server 31 is suspended ifit is serious. The regular access may be suspended immediately when theoccurrence of a trouble is detected.

In Step S301 of FIG. 5, when the image forming apparatus 11 has detectedoccurrence of some trouble through a detecting means, the back panel(not illustrated) displays that a trouble has occurred, in Step S302. Itsuspends the execution if during image formation. Furthermore, the imageforming apparatus 11 executes self-diagnostic program by thedecision-making means in Step S303 to determine if the trouble havingoccurred is a temporary trouble such as such as paper jamming or aserious trouble due to motor failure, etc. If the trouble is determinedto be temporary, the image forming apparatus 11 works in response to theoperation of removing the jammed paper and recovers the operation,without reporting to the outside, in Step S304.

If the trouble is determined as serious, the image forming apparatus 11suspends a regular access to the relaying server 31 in Step S305.Obtaining information on the trouble in Step S306, it sends it to therelaying server 31. In this case, the image forming apparatus 11 sendstarget device ID information as well. In Step S307, the relaying server31 stores the received information on the details of the trouble in thespecified area. A specified period of time after having sent theinformation on the details of the trouble, the image forming apparatus11 accesses the relaying server 31 and verifies the result of datatransmission.

If the image forming apparatus 11 determines that the result oftransmission is faulty in Step S308, it goes back to Step S306, and sendthe data again. If the result of data transmission is correct, the imageforming apparatus 11 reports termination of processing in Step S309, andaccesses the relaying server 31 notifies that a trouble has occurred.The order of Steps S306 and S309 may be reversed. Transmission of datain Step S306 may be performed simultaneously with the operation in StepS309. Information that a trouble has occurred (Step S309) andinformation on the details of the trouble (Step S306) belong to thesecond transmitted information, which is emergency information. Thesepieces of information are sent in a specified format such as HTML, XMLor FTP. After that, the image forming apparatus 11 resumes a regularaccess of the relaying server 31 in Step S311, and uses the relayingserver 31 to monitor whether or not there is a new command issued fromthe host computer 21.

If setting is made to allow report by mail, the relaying server 31having received a report can send information to the host computer 21 inthe earlier phase by establishing an immediate communication with thehost computer 21 (further, simultaneous transmission to multipledestinations such as the host computer 21 and service person can beachieved by setting multiple addresses); this is preferred. However,when the host computer 21 makes access to the relaying server 31 nexttime, information on the trouble having occurred to the image formingapparatus 11 and the details of the trouble will be read out, andemergency notice will appear on the display unit of the host computer 21(Step S312).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a troublehas occurred to the image forming apparatus 11, the details of thetrouble are specifically reported to the service company, so that theservice person can take immediate actions to solve the problem.

The following describes the case of updating the program stored in theimage forming apparatus 11: FIG. 6 is a ladder diagram representingexchange of data between image forming apparatus 11 and host computer21. It shows the case of updating the program on the image formingapparatus 11.

In Step S401 of FIG. 6, in response to the operation of the serviceperson for example, the host computer 21 enters the program to berewritten (updating program, called ISW data). Then the entered ISW dataand update command data (the first transmitted information, jobinformation and updating information) are sent to the relaying server 31(Step S407). The target device ID information of the image formingapparatus 11 and time for execution (time of day when the image formingapparatus 11 rewrites the program kept in the storage underadministration into ISW data) are included in this update command data,as required.

In Step S402, the relaying server 31 stores the received ISW data andupdate command data in the specified area of the relaying storage. Thenin Step S403, it checks if the received ISW data and update command dataare correct or not. If said ISW data and update command data are notcorrect, they are deleted in Step S404. If said ISW data and updatecommand data are correct, the relaying server 31 writes the ISW dataupdating command in the job list in Step S405, and stores it into theinherent folder corresponding to the serial number inherent to the imageforming apparatus 11 (ID information of the target device). The resultis converted into the specified format such as HTML, XML and FTP and thesystem waits for access by the image forming apparatus 11 and the hostcomputer 21 (Step S406). The host computer 21 reads out the data fromthe relaying server 31 in the next access and evaluates the result ofdata transmission (Step S408). If transmission is faulty, indication tothat effect is given on its own display unit 21 a (FIG. 1), and thesystem goes back to the Step S401 to send the data again. Iftransmission is correct, the host computer 21 gives display of “Updatingin progress” or the like (Step S410).

After that, the image forming apparatus 11 accesses the relaying server31 and checks the inherent folder corresponding to the inherent serialnumber (Object device ID information) in the job list. If it finds out acommand data to itself, it gets that command data. The image formingapparatus 11 checks if the specified time (time of day forimplementation has elapsed or not (Step S412). If it has determined thatthe specified time has not yet elapsed, the image forming apparatus 11terminates processing and resumes regular access to the relaying server31 (Step S413).

If it has determined that the specified time has elapsed, the imageforming apparatus 11 suspends regular access to the relaying server 31(Step S414), and focuses on execution of the obtained command. To put itmore specifically, the image forming apparatus 11 accesses the relayingserver 31 in Step S415 and downloads the stored ISW data.

Further, if the image forming apparatus 11 determines that the result ofISW data transmission is incorrect in Step S416, it goes back to StepS415 and performs downloading again.

When the downloading information has been completed (including the casewhen final downloading is not possible, for example, when downloading isrepeated several times, the preset number of times has been exceeded, orthe preset time has been exceeded), the report on the result of ISW dataacquisition (notification on the termination of a specified operation)is sent from the image forming apparatus 11 to the relaying server 31(Step S417). In response to the report on the result of datatransmission sent from the image forming apparatus 11, the relayingserver 31 writes in a specified area the result of updating in the imageforming apparatus 11 (Step S418). When the host computer 21 makes accessto the relaying server 31 next time, the result of updating in the imageforming apparatus 11 will be read out, and will be indicated the displayunit of the host computer 21 (Step S419).

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1 resumes regular accessto the relaying server 31 after reporting the result of datatransmission. At the same time, when the time of day specified has beenreached in Step S420, the ISW data is written in Step S421 and theprogram is updated. Here the system waits for the specified time of day.This is because ISW data is written in the time zone when the imageforming apparatus 11 is least likely to be operated, for example, atmidnight and in the early morning, thereby ensuring that there is nointerference with user's operation time.

After that, the image forming apparatus 11 checks in Step S422 todetermine if writing has been performed correctly or not. If writing isdetermined not to have been performed correctly, the system goes back toStep S421, and writing is performed again. If writing is determined tohave been performed correctly, the image forming apparatus 11 reportsthe result of rewriting to the relaying server 31 in Step S423.

When writing of the ISW data has terminated (including the case whenwriting is not possible in the final stage, for example, when writing isrepeated several times, the preset number of times has been exceeded, orthe preset time has been exceeded), a report on the result of writing(notification of the termination of ISW rewriting) is sent from theimage forming apparatus 11 to the relaying server 3. In response to thereport on the result of writing sent from the image forming apparatus11, the relaying server 31 writes in a specified area the result ofupdating in the image forming apparatus 11 (Step S424). If setting ismade to allow report by mail in this case, it is possible to establishan immediate communication with the host computer 21, and to send theinformation to the host computer 21 in the early phase (further,simultaneous transmission to multiple destinations such as the hostcomputer 21 and service person can be achieved by setting multipleaddresses); this is preferred. However, when the host computer 21 makesaccess to the relaying server 31 next time, the updated results of theimage forming apparatus 11 will be read out, and will appear on thedisplay unit of the host computer 21 (Step S425).

The above description has been made in three parts; transmission ofinherent data (FIG. 2), rewriting of inherent data (FIG. 4) andrewriting of ISW data (FIG. 6). When viewed from the image formingapparatus 11, it accesses the relaying server 31 at specified timeintervals, and determines if the job information as the firsttransmitted information to itself (inherent data transmission command,inherent data rewriting command and ISW data rewriting command) ispresent or not. If it is present, operations in conformity to theabove-mentioned FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 are performed in response to thedetails of that job information (the operations are changed). If thereis only one server, the entire administration system may become faulty,for example, when the communications line is busy for example, or atrouble has occurred. Such problems are solved in the followingembodiment:

FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating another example of an administrationsystem including the hierarchically constituted server group, wherein aproxy server is not illustrated. In FIG. 7, a parent relaying server 31is connected to child relaying servers 131 and 231, which are linked tomultiple image forming apparatuses 11. The host computer 21 is connectedto the relaying server 31 and child relaying servers 131 and 231. Theparent relaying server 31 as a relaying server and child relayingservers 131 and 231 each are equipped with a relaying storage.

According to the present embodiment, when data is sent from the imageforming apparatus 11 to the host computer 21, image forming apparatus 11accesses child relaying servers 131 and 231 to exchange data. Childrelaying servers 131 and 231 access the parent relaying server 131 toexchange data. The host computer 21 can access the parent relayingserver to download the data. This procedure can be reversed to send datafrom the host computer to the image forming apparatus According to thepresent embodiment, provision of multiple relaying servers preventsaccess from the image forming apparatus 11 from being concentrated onthe parent relaying server 31. This eliminates the possibility of theline being busy. Furthermore, even when the child relaying server 231gets faulty, for example, child relaying server 131 or parent relayingserver 31 play their role in their stead, thereby eliminating thepossibility of the entire administration system becoming faulty. It goeswithout saying that the hierarchical structure of the server is notrestricted to two stage; three or more stages are also acceptable.Furthermore, installation of multiple parent relaying servers is alsopossible. In such a case, setting is prearranged so that the childrelaying server will access the preset specific (the first) parentrelaying server out of multiple parent relaying servers. When access tothe first parent relaying server it disabled, the possibility of partialfailure of the system can be eliminated by allowing access to the secondparent relaying server different from the first parent relaying server.

In such a case, the image forming apparatus 11 accesses a preset childrelaying server (131 or 231) out of multiple relaying servers 131, 131and 231. At the same time, if access to the child relaying server (131or 231) is disabled, access to the parent relaying server 31 differentfrom the child relaying server (131 or 231) is preferred. To access thepreset child relaying server 131 or 231, the inherent IP address of thechild relaying server 131 or 231 to be accessed can be stored in theimage forming apparatus 11. It is also possible to store it in the Tablecreated to identify IP addresses of the corresponding child relayingservers 131 and 231 according to the child server ID information.

Child relaying servers 131 and 231 are provided with child relayingstorages to store information, and the parent relaying server 31 has aparent relaying storage to memorize information. The image formingapparatus 11 accesses the child relaying server 131 (or 231) via theInternet N, and gets the information retained in the child relayingstorage, or sends the second transmitted information to the childrelaying server 131 (or 231). The host computer 21 access the parentrelaying server 31 via the Internet N to get the information retained inthe parent relaying storage or to send the first transmitted informationto the parent relaying server 31. The first transmitted information sentfrom the host computer 21 is sent from the parent relaying server 31 tothe child relaying server 131 (or 231), and is stored in the childrelaying storage of the child relaying server 131 (or 231).Alternatively, the second transmitted information sent from the hostcomputer 21 is sent from the child relaying server 131 (or 231) to theparent relaying server 31, and is stored in the parent relaying storageof the parent relaying server 31.

In the same manner as above, the child relaying server 131 (or 231)accesses (regularly accesses) the parent relaying server 31 at one ormore of the following time intervals; at specified time intervals, at aspecified time and at a specified timing. It gets the first transmittedinformation stored in the parent relaying server 31 at the time ofregular access, and sends the second transmitted information receivedaccording to the contents to the parent relaying server at the time ofthe next regular access.

If the first transmitted information includes the target device IDinformation to identify the image forming apparatus 11 at thedestination of transmission (serial number in this case) or the childserver ID information to identify the child relaying server 131 (or 231)(serial number in this case), then the child relaying server 131 (or231) accesses the parent relaying server 31. Based on the target deviceID information of the image forming apparatus 11 which accesses thechild relaying server 131 (or 231) or the child server ID information toidentify itself, it determines whether or not it should get the firsttransmitted information stored in the parent relaying storage. Ifdecision has been made to get it, then it can get the first transmittedinformation stored in the child relaying storage.

In the meantime, if said first transmitted information is thetransmission command information for the image forming apparatus 11 tosend the second transmitted information, then the image formingapparatus 11 sends the second transmitted information to the childrelaying server 131 (or 231), based on transmission command informationobtained via child relaying server 131 (or 231). The child relayingserver 131 (or 231) can send the second transmitted to the parentrelaying server 31 the information obtained from the image formingapparatus 11.

Furthermore, updating relaying information used to rewrite the relayingprogram for control of the child relaying server 131 (or 231) into theupdating relaying program can be transmitted from the host computer 21to the parent relaying server 31. In this case, the child relayingserver 131 (or 231) accesses the parent relaying server 31 to get theupdating relaying information, and can rewrite the relaying programstored in the child relaying server 131 (or 231) into the updatingrelaying program, based on the obtained updating relaying information.The functions of the child relaying server 131 (or 231) can be improvedby such an updating relaying program.

Especially when there are multiple image forming apparatuses 11 whichaccess the child relaying server 131 (or 231), the child relaying server131 (or 231) integrates multiple second transmitted information sentfrom the image forming apparatus 11 into the second transmittedinformation, which can be sent to the parent relaying server 31.Integration under this context signifies arrangement in the order oftransmission, or arrangement in conformity to each image formingapparatus, but is to restricted thereto.

Furthermore, there are multiple child relaying servers 131 and 231. Theforming apparatus 11 accesses the preset first child relaying server 131out of multiple child relaying servers 131 and 231. At the same time, ifaccess to the first child relaying server 131 is disabled, it accessesthe child relaying server 231 or parent relaying server 31 differentfrom the first child relaying server 131, thereby ensuring informationto be sent.

Furthermore, the parent relaying server 31 is capable of integratingmultiple pieces of transmitted information sent from the multiple childrelaying servers 131 and 231 into the second transmitted information.

More than one parent relaying server 31 may be provided. In this case,child relaying servers 131 and 231 access the preset first parentrelaying server out of multiple parent relaying servers 31. At the sametime, if access to said first parent relaying server is disabled, it iscapable of accessing the parent relaying server different from saidfirst parent relaying-server; The following provides a specifieddescription of the administration systems equipped with multiplerelaying servers.

FIG. 8 is a ladder diagram representing exchange of data between imageforming apparatus 11 and host computer 21 through the parent/childservers. It shows the case of changing the program on the side of theimage forming apparatus 11. The child relaying server 131 makes aregular access to the parent relaying server 31 to monitor the job list.The image forming apparatus 11 makes a regular access to the childrelaying server 131 to monitor the job list. In the embodiment discussedbelow, when the host computer 21 is used as an administration system,the equipment to be administered is used as an image forming apparatus11. It can also be used as a child relaying server 131. This means thatthe control program can be changed based on the child server IDinformation to identify the child relaying server 131, similarly to thecases of other embodiments. The following describes the rewriting of ISWdata as an example. It goes without saying that this applies to thetransmission of inherent data (FIG. 2), rewriting of inherent data (FIG.4) and emergency report (FIG. 5), as described above.

In Step S501 of FIG. 8, in response to the operation of the serviceperson for example, the host computer 21 enters the program to berewritten (updating program, called ISW data). Then the entered ISW dataand update command data are sent to the relaying server 31 (Step S501).Such an update command data includes the target device ID information ofthe relevant image forming apparatus 11, the child server ID informationof the relevant child relaying server 131 (information to identify thechild relaying server) and time for execution, as required.

In Step S502, the parent relaying server 31 stores the received ISW dataand update command data in the specific area. Then in Step S503, therewrite command for the image forming apparatus 11 having passed throughthe child relaying server 131 is added to the job list. The system waitsto be accessed by the child relaying server 131 and host computer 21(Step S503). The host computer 21 reads data from the parent relayingserver 31 in the next access, evaluate the result of data transmission,and gives displays to show that updating is currently in progress (StepS504).

After that, the child relaying server 131 accesses the parent relayingserver 31 and checks the job list. If it finds that update command datais present (from the target device ID information of the image formingapparatus 11 be accessed for the child relaying server 131 and the IDinformation of its own child server), said server gets that command (inStep 521). Furthermore, the child relaying server 131 checks thereceived ISW data and update command data, and reports the results oftransmission to the parent relaying server 31 (Step S505). After that,such data is stored in the specified area, and the rewrite command forthe image forming apparatus 11 is added to the job list. Then saidserver waits to be accessed by the image forming apparatus 11 (StepS507).

In response to the result of transmission from the child relaying server131, the parent relaying server 31 converts it into a specified formatsuch as HTML, XML and FTP, and waits to be accessed by the host computer21. The host computer 21 reads the data from the parent relaying server31 at the time of subsequent access, and gets the result of datatransmission. Then it displays to show the data has been send to thechild relaying server 131, for example (Step S508).

In the meantime, the image forming apparatus 11 having accessed thechild relaying server 131 checks the job list. If it finds out that theupdate command data is present, it obtains that data and suspendsmonitoring of the child server 31 (Step S509). Furthermore, the imageforming apparatus 11 checks the received ISW data and update commanddata, and reports the result of transmission to the child relayingserver 131 (Step S510).

The result of such transmission is sent through the child relayingserver 131 and parent relaying server 31 (Steps S511 and S512) and isread by the host computer 21. Then display is given to show that thedata has been sent to the image forming apparatus 11, for example (StepS513).

After waiting until the specified time in Step S514, the image formingapparatus 11 writes the ISW data and updates the program. Then the imageforming apparatus 11 determines whether writing is correctly performedor not in Step S515. If it determines that writing is not correct, itgoes back to the Step S514 to perform writing again. If writing iscorrect, the image forming apparatus 11 reports the result of writing tothe child relaying server 131 in Step S516. Then in Step S520, the imageforming apparatus 11 completes processing of writing, and restarts tomonitor the child relaying server 131.

ISW data writing may be disabled in the final phase in some cases. Theresult of writing including such cases is sent from the image formingapparatus 11 is sent to the host computer 21 through the child relayingserver 131 and parent relaying server 31 (Steps S517 and S518), and isread by said host computer 21. Then said result is indicated on thedisplay unit of the host computer 21 (Step S519).

When updating the program and data stored in the child relaying servers131 and 231, child relaying servers 131 and 231 can get the updateprogram or update data from the host computer 21 in the same manner,thereby permitting the program or data to be updated.

In FIG. 1, the host computer 21 accesses the relaying server 31, andsends the first transmitted information including the job information ofcausing the image forming apparatus 11 to execute a specified operationand the target device ID information (serial number in this case) toidentify the image forming apparatus 11 at the destination. The relayingserver 31 stores the first transmitted information sent later in therelaying storage of the relaying server 31. The image forming apparatus11 determines whether it should obtain the first transmitted informationor not, according to the target device ID information of the firsttransmitted information stored in the relaying storage, when making aregular access to the relaying server 131 at one or more of thefollowing time intervals; at specified time intervals, at a specifiedtime, at a specified timing and at a time interval meeting the specifiedconditions. If it has determined that it should get it, it obtains thefirst transmitted information from the relaying server 31. Based on thejob information in the first transmitted information, a specifiedoperation is performed. It sends to the relaying server 31 thetermination report showing that the specified operation has terminated.Depending on whether the image forming apparatus 11 has obtained thefirst transmitted information or not, and whether the image formingapparatus 11 has performed the specified operation or not according tothe first transmitted information, the relaying server 31 updates theinformation indicated on the display unit of the host computer 21. Thehost computer 21 makes a regular access to the relaying server 31 at oneor more of the following time intervals; at specified time intervals, ata specified time, at a specified timing and at a time interval meetingthe specified conditions. Then said host computer 21 gets theinformation to be indicated on its own display unit, and indicates itthere. In this manner, the status of of the image forming apparatus 11is administered. For example, when the host computer 21 is installed ina service company at a considerable distance from the image formingapparatus 11, the state of the image forming apparatus 11 is regularlyindicated on the display unit through the Internet N. This allows theservice personnel to provide adequate administration of the imageforming apparatus 11 without leaving his company.

FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an example of the job list indicated on thedisplay unit of the host computer 21. The following defines the itemsgiven in the job list:

Serial No.: Serial number of the image forming apparatus 11 (determineduniquely)

Installed at: Where the image forming apparatus 11 is installed

Command: Job commands such as GETDATA (get data), UPDATE (update)

Data type: Type of the data to be obtained or updated by the command(such as KRDS (update) data and ISW data (update program))

Administration server: IP address and domain name of the relaying server31 managing the jobs (parent relaying server when relaying servers arelaid out in hierarchical structure)

Command host: ID information of the host computer 21 issuing the jobcommand (unique host ID information (serial number))

Command time: Command execution time (when the image forming apparatus11 starts getting the update data in the case of updating the data)

Execution time: Time when image forming apparatus 11 starts updating inthe case of updating

Processing status: Transactions between the image forming apparatus 11and relaying server 31 are displayed to show the status of the host. Thefollowing describes specific examples:

“Waiting”: Waits for access by the copier or for command time

“Getting data”: Image forming apparatus 11 waiting for data updatingexecution time (wherein data are already obtained)

“Correct termination”: Correct termination of data processing (displayturned off after the lapse of a specified time)

“Termination error”: Data processing error (without display being turnedoff)

The service person gets an accurate picture of the status of multipleimage forming apparatuses 11 by regularly observing the display screengiven in FIG. 9.

The job list is managed as follows: A folder is created in the hard diskof the host computer 21 or relaying server 31 for each serial number ofeach image forming apparatus 11, and a required job list can be pickedup by searching inside the folder corresponding to the seal number ofthe image forming apparatus 11 whose status is to be clarified.Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 11 search the inherent folderof the job list from its own inherent serial numbers. The job listswhere the execution of the job has terminated can be automaticallydeleted and corrected.

The above description has been made with reference to the embodiments ofthe present invention. The interpretation of the present inventionshould not be restricted to said embodiments alone. It goes withoutsaying that they can be modified and improved.

The present invention provides an administration system andadministration method which ensure an accurate-grip of the status of theequipment to be administered, using the network such as the Internet,independently of the presence or absence of firewall server.

1. An administration system, comprising: a device to be administrated, which is located in a first local network and connected to the Internet through a first firewall server of the first local network; an administration apparatus, which is located in a second local network and connected to the Internet through a second firewall server of the second local network; and a relaying server, which is located outside the first and second local networks and connected to the Internet; wherein: one of the device and the administration apparatus transmits first information to the relaying server; the other one of the device and the administration apparatus accesses the relaying server to obtain at least one of the second information and information relating to the first information.
 2. The administration system of claim 1, wherein the other one of the device and the administration apparatus accesses the relaying server repeatedly to obtain the at least one of the second information and information relating to the first information.
 3. The administration system of claim 1, wherein the relaying server comprises a first relaying server and a second relaying server both of which are located outside the first and second local networks, and the device and the administration apparatus access to the first and second relaying servers, respectively.
 4. The administration system of claim 1, wherein the device transmits the first information, which represents a state of the device.
 5. The administration system of claim 1, wherein: the administration apparatus transmits second information to the relaying server; and the device accesses the relaying server to obtain at least one of the second information and information relating to the second information.
 6. The administration system of claim 5, wherein the device controls itself in accordance with the obtained one of the second information and the information relating to the second information.
 7. The administration system of claim 6, wherein: the second information includes ID information for identifying the device, and job information for making the device a predetermined operation; and the device, identified with the ID information, executes the predetermined operation in accordance with the job information.
 8. The administration system of claim 7, wherein: the job information includes at least one of an updating program and updating data for controlling the device; the device includes an administrated storage which stores at least one of a program and data; and the device rewrites the at least one of the program and the data, stored in the administrated storage, with the at least one of the updating program and the updating data.
 9. The administration system of claim 8, wherein the device obtains the at least one of the updating program the updating data by downloading from the relaying server.
 10. The administration system of claim 8, wherein the device suspends an access to the relaying server while at least one of the updating program and the updating data is rewrote in the device.
 11. The administration system of claim 7, wherein: the device determines whether there are any second information including ID information identifying the device itself, and the device obtains the second information, stored in the relaying storage, when the second information including ID information identifying the device itself is stored in the relaying server.
 12. The administration system of claim 1, wherein the one of the device and the administration apparatus re-transmits the first information when the relaying server fails to receive the first information normally.
 13. The administration system of claim 5, wherein the administration apparatus re-transmits the second information when the relaying server fails to receive the second information normally.
 14. The administration system of claim 4, wherein the first information comprises inherent data of the device.
 15. The administration system of claim 14, wherein the inherent data includes usage history information of the device.
 16. The administration system of claim 15, wherein: the device is an image forming apparatus which counts at least one of (1) a number of image formation, (2) a number of usage of at least one component constituting the image forming apparatus, (3) a number of image formation for each size of a recording medium, (4) a number of image-formed recording medium, and (5) a number of image formation for each function owned by the image forming apparatus so as to obtain a count number; and the image forming apparatus transmits the count number to the relaying server as the inherent data.
 17. The administration system of claim 14, wherein the inherent data comprises emergency information based on an error occurred in the device.
 18. The administration system of claim 17, wherein the device detects an error occurred in the device, determines whether the error is a temporary trouble or a serious trouble, and transmits the emergency information to the relaying server when the error is the serious trouble.
 19. The administration system of claim 14, wherein the device includes an administrated storage which stores the inherent data to be transmitted to the relaying server in accordance with the at least one of the second information and the information relating to the second information that is previously obtained from the relay server.
 20. The administration system of claim 5, wherein the device suspends obtaining the at least one of the second information and the information relating to the second information from the relaying server while the first information is transmitted to the relaying server.
 21. The administration system of claim 14, wherein the device re-transmits the first information when the relaying server fails to receive the at least one of the first information and the information relating to the first information normally.
 22. The administration system of claim 4, wherein the device executes an access to the relaying server according to a predetermined timing.
 23. The administration system of claim 22, wherein the predetermined timing is at least one of timing conditions at a predetermined time interval, a predetermined time of the day, at a predetermined timing, and a timing that a predetermined condition is satisfied.
 24. The administration system of claim 1, wherein the information relating to the first information is created by the relaying server in accordance with the first information.
 25. The administration system of claim 24, wherein the device transmits a report for notifying a completion of a predetermined operation to the relaying server as the first information; and the administration apparatus obtains a state of the device as the information relating to the first information by accessing the relaying server at a predetermined timing.
 26. A device to be administrated used in an administration system comprising the device located in a first local network and connected to the Internet through a first firewall server of the first local network, an administration apparatus located in a second local network and connected to the Internet through a second firewall server of the second local network, and a relaying server located outside the first and second local networks and connected to the Internet, the device comprising: a communication section which repeatedly accesses the relaying server to obtain information stored in the relaying server, the information being at least one of information having been transmitted from the administration apparatus to the relaying server and information created by the relaying server in accordance with the information having been transmitted from the administration apparatus to the relaying server, and a control section which controls the device in accordance with the information obtained from the relaying server.
 27. The device of claim 26, wherein: the information stored in the relaying server includes ID information for identifying the device and job information for making the device a predetermined operation; and the device, identified with the ID information, executes the predetermined operation in accordance with the job information.
 28. The device of claim 27, wherein: the job information includes at least one of an updating program and updating data for controlling the device; the device includes an administrated storage which stores at least one of a program and data; and rewrites the at least one of the program and the data stored in the administrated storage with the at least one of the updating program and the updating data.
 29. The device of claim 28, wherein the device obtains the at least one of the updating program and the updating data by downloading from the relaying server.
 30. The device of claim 28, wherein the device suspends an access to the relaying server while the at least one of the updating program and updating data is rewritten in the device.
 31. The device of claim 26, wherein the image forming apparatus determines whether there is ID information identifying the device, and obtains the information stored in the relaying storage when the ID information identifying the device is stored in the relaying server.
 32. The device of claim 26, wherein the information transmitted from the connection section represents a state of the device to the relaying server.
 33. The device of claim 32, wherein the device re-transmits the status information when the relaying server fails to receive the status information normally.
 34. The device of claim 32, wherein the status information is inherent data of the device.
 35. The device of claim 34, wherein the inherent data includes usage history information of the device.
 36. The device of claim 35, wherein: the device is an image forming apparatus, which counts at least one of (1) a number of image formation, (2) a number of usage of at least one component constituting the image forming apparatus, (3) a number of image formation for each size of a recording medium, (4) a number of image-formed recording medium, and (5) a number of image formation for each function owned by the image forming apparatus so as to obtain a count number; and the image forming apparatus transfers the count number to the relaying server as the inherent data.
 37. The device of claim 34, wherein the inherent data is emergency information based on an error occurred in the device.
 38. The device of claim 37, wherein the device detects an error occurred in the device, determines whether the error is a temporary trouble or a serious trouble, and transfers the emergency information to the relaying server when the error is the serious trouble.
 39. The device of claim 32, wherein the device includes an administrated storage which stores the inherent data transmitted to the relaying server in accordance with the ID information that is previously obtained from the relaying server.
 40. An administration apparatus used in an administration system comprising a device to be administrated located in a first local network and connected to the Internet through a first firewall server of the first local network, the administration apparatus located in a second local network and connected to the Internet through a second firewall server of the second local network, and a relaying server located outside the first and second local networks and connected to the Internet, the administration apparatus comprising: a communication section which accesses the relaying server to transmit information to the relaying server, the information including ID information for identifying the device and job information for making the device a predetermined operation, wherein the device accesses the relaying server to obtain at least one of the information and edited information created by the relaying server in accordance with the information.
 41. The administration apparatus of claim 40, wherein the job information includes at least one of an updating program and updating data for controlling the device.
 42. The administration apparatus of claim 41, wherein the administration apparatus re-transmits the information when the relaying server fails to receive the information normally.
 43. The administration apparatus of claim 40, wherein the communication section obtains a state of the device as the information relating to the first information by accessing the relaying server at a predetermined timing.
 44. A device to be administrated used in an administration system comprising the device located in a first local network and connected to the Internet through a first firewall server of the first local network, an administration apparatus located in a second local network and connected to the Internet through a second firewall server of the second local network, and a relaying server located outside the first and second local networks and connected to the Internet, the administration apparatus comprising: a communication section which accesses the relaying server to transmit information regarding the device, wherein the administration apparatus accesses the relaying server to obtain at least one of the information and edited information created by the relaying server in accordance with the information.
 45. An administration apparatus used in an administration system comprising a device located in a first local network and connected to the Internet through a first firewall server of the first local network, the administration apparatus located in a second local network and connected to the Internet through a second firewall server of the second local network, and a relaying server located outside the first and second local networks and connected to the Internet, the device comprising: a communication section which repeatedly accesses the relaying server to obtain information regarding the device, the information being one of the information transmitted from the device and edited information created by the relaying server in accordance with the information. 